In the aftermath of the fires which devastated Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties, NCG spoke with members about their disaster funding interests and strategies. One such conversation – with Claire Solot, Managing Director of the Bigglesworth Family Foundation – highlighted an interesting shift in post-disaster grantmaking in both focus and process.

The City of Stockton is an example of the resilience and hope that make California a great state. It is a city known for its diversity and also for its challenges, such as when it filed for bankruptcy in 2011. But like the Phoenix of Greek mythology, Stockton is rebuilding itself as a city committed to setting the pace for how great cities will be governed in the future and what they will do to attract and care for their residents. The city’s extraordinary turnaround is being recognized.

I was born in New Mexico and grew up in a large, hard-working family. My visionary Mexican-American parents pushed us to pursue a college education and to never settle for anything less than our very best. Their guidance led me to a career that I love and kept me part of a rich culture and community that I support.

The KennethRainin Foundation is not alone in wondering how to make more of its dollars and influence to help organizations stay put as rents continue to soar across the Bay Area. Hear from Shelley Trott at the Kenneth Rainin Foundation on the story of its big bet, the risks they took, and the payoff for Bay Area arts organizations.

Andrea Zussman, who joined NCG in the fall of 2016 to establish a Disaster Resilience, Relief, and Recovery program to support regional philanthropic disaster planning and readiness, will be leaving her position to devote herself full-time to the needs of her family. Andrea will continue to guide NCG as a Senior Advisor and consultant.